Philly AIDS Thrift awarded $358,085 in grants to 34 HIV/AIDS nonprofit service organizations during a ceremony at William Way LGBT Community Center, marking a significant milestone as the organization surpassed $5 million in total donations. The local nonprofit hosted the grant ceremony reception on Feb. 12.
Michael Byrne, board president of Philly AIDS Thrift, presented the grants to representatives from each of the 34 organizations and programs, all of which are focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support in the Delaware Valley.
“This is by far my favorite moment of the entire year!” Byrne said in a statement. “To be able to have such a profound impact on programs that are doing tremendous work on behalf of individuals and communities impacted by HIV/AIDS across the Delaware Valley is truly humbling.”
Among the organizations to receive grants this year were Mazzoni Center, William Way LGBT Community Center, Galaei, The Attic Youth Center and several others.
As just a few examples of the organizations Philly AIDS Thrift supports, Galaei is a social justice-oriented organization serving Latinx communities and beyond by providing education, life-saving services, and other forms of support while combatting racism, oppression and white supremacy. The Philly AIDS Thrift grant will help Galaei with an on-site transitional housing project for people living with HIV, with a specific focus on trans and BIPOC individuals.
The Attic Youth Center is Philadelphia’s only organization that exclusively serves LGBTQ+ youth. The Center’s mission includes helping LGBTQ+ youth develop into healthy, independent, civic-minded adults by providing myriad programs to promote wellness and reduce barriers to health and safety. The Philly AIDS Thrift grant will help The Attic Youth Center with this mission by supporting services such as mental-health counseling, HIV care linkage, workforce development, and access to food and hygiene products.
Philly AIDS Thrift accepts donations of gently used clothing, furniture, books, and other items, and with those proceeds, the organization funds future grants. The Philly AIDS Thrift’s Grant Program began in 2014. Over the last decade, more than 200 grants have been funded, culminating in the organization recently hitting the goal of donating more than $5 million.
“This year’s grants push us to an extraordinary milestone: over 5 million dollars donated to the cause since our inception,” Byrne said. “We are forever grateful for our staff, our volunteers, our donors and our loyal customers — thank you sincerely from the bottom of our hearts!”
Philly AIDS Thrift Executive Director and Co-founder Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou echoed Byrne’s sentiments.
“It is amazing to all of us that we have reached this monumental milestone,” Kallas-Saritsoglou said. “Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly every day to ensure we can make the biggest difference possible in the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. We could not do it without our generous donors and enthusiastic shoppers.”
Philly AIDS Thrift was founded in 2005 with the mission to support local communities affected by HIV/AIDS through its retail thrift stores. In 2014, Philly AIDS Thrift expanded, taking over the operation of Giovanni’s Room, the nation’s oldest LGBTQ+ and feminist bookstore. Philly AIDS Thrift also provides an HIV testing center within its retail store as well as store vouchers for HIV/AIDS service providers in the Greater Philadelphia Area. The retail store is open to shoppers from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
Applications for grant proposals will open again in October. Those interested in obtaining more information about grant opportunities, ways to get involved, or other queries can call 215-922-3186 or visit phillyaidsthrift.com.